AIS to disconnect TOT voice users

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AIS to disconnect TOT voice users 
The Nation: 30 Jan 2010
3G ROAMING DISPUTE
AIS to disconnect tot voice users
By Usanee Mongkolporn The Nation

Advanced Info Service (AIS) will disconnect TOT's 3G subscribers from roaming for voice service on its network on Monday in reaction to the state agency's refusal to allow its subscribers to roam with TOT's 3G network for data-service access.

AIS informed its state concession owner yesterday that it would send a letter to inform TOT about the disconnect on Monday, when it will take place.

AIS informed TOT on the matter shortly after TOT's board yesterday considered its data-roaming request and concluded that TOT had to consult the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) first about permitting AIS subscribers to roam for data service on its network under the licence granted to TOT by the NTC.

AIS chief executive officer Wichian Mektrakarn said that AIS has informed TOT with regards to their network voice roaming deal that AIS has allowed TOT 3G subscribers to roam with AIS network for voice service in the provinces and in turn TOT should allow AIS subscribers to roam with TOT 3G network for broadband wireless access.

If TOT has to consult the NTC on the AIS data roaming request, AIS then will also have to wait for the NTC to give an opinion to TOT on the matter before continuing to provide voice roaming to TOT 3G subscribers.

Wichian added that after the NTC gives its opinion to TOT on the matter, AIS would ask TOT for talks to review their voice-roaming deal.

Currently TOT's 3G network, which covers only greater Bangkok, has around 10,000 subscribers.

AIS has proposed to roam a maximum of 100,000 subscribers with TOT's 3G network. Recently AIS announced that the roaming could begin on Monday.

TOT's board chairman Teravuti Boonyasopon said after the board meeting that the board also asked TOT to study if its 3G network has sufficient capacity to serve AIS's data-roaming request.

TOT debuted the 3G network last December. It has selected five companies - Samart I-Mobile, Loxley, 365 communications, IEC and M Consultants - to provide the 3G service on its network on a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) basis. An MVNO is a company that does not have its own network and has leased the network and airtime of another company to provide cellular service.

Under MVNO agreements, the five MVNOs would test providing the service until March and then TOT would review their performance.

Some TOT board directors suggested in the board meeting yesterday that TOT should further extend the trial period for the five MVNOs and make a decision on the AIS data-roaming request after the end of the extended period.

Teravuti added that TOT gave a chance to all companies, including AIS, to become its MVNO since the start but AIS declined to step in. Therefore, TOT has to take care the five existing MVNOs first.

TOT's senior executive vice president for mobile business, Wichien Naksrinual, said the state agency's 3G network had data capacity of 400 megabits per second, while AIS requested 375 megabits per second. This would leave no capacity for the five MVNOs.

TOT has planned to extend its 3G network to cover major provinces, including Chon Buri, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Rayong, Hat Yai, Chiang Rai and Nong Khai. The network rollout in Chon Buri and Pattaya is expected to be completed in April and the one in Chiang Mai in May.

A source at TOT said that the state agency would finance the rollout by its own cash flow at an estimated cost of less than Bt100 million per province.

In a related matter, the Information and Communications Technology Ministry is expected to submit for the Cabinet's consideration in March the TOT's final business plan to roll out a new nationwide 3G network at a cost of Bt20 billion.